[sharkref]

Article from Tulsa, Ok.


Blow whistle on refs
: By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
: 2/22/01

: The 3-man officiating crews in 5A-6A haven't brought the results many expected.
: This year's experiment with the 3- man officiating crews in Classes 5A and 6A hasn't produced the results many expected.
: Instead of smoother, well-officiated games, contests have been marred with missed calls and a somewhat apathetic attitude among some officials.

: Some of that was to be expected. After all, the 3-man crew is new to officials as well as to the teams. As officials work through a feeling-out phase of what to call or not to call, coaches, players and fans are second-guessing the officials.

: "I'm not sure they were ready for it as far as court coverage and mechanics of a 3-man crew," said one 6A coach. "Too many times it seems as though they don't know who is going to make calls. That's to be expected since it's new to them also."

: This isn't to say that high school officiating is totally bad. But when an official calls a technical for a "mean look," perhaps it is time to take a closer look at the situation.

: The problem seems two-fold.

: First, the 3-man crews are not assigned to games on a regular basis which makes continuity a problem.

: Second, officials must also adapt to how coaches wish games to be called. For example, one coach may prefer hand checks to be whistled while the opposing coach may wish to let the players play.

: One former coach offered a different look at the problem.

: "Watch any game and what you see is that most officials cannot run backwards," he said. "They can't even run sideways. They race down the court then turn around. They're missing any action going on behind them.

: "Three-man crews have developed laziness. It's the worst thing that ever happened to basketball. It's created 33-1/3 percent incompetence. It's time that athletic directors and administrators regain control of officials."

: Still another coach offered these thoughts.

: "It seems with the 3-man crew you get one good official, one average and one who is just learning. But it always seems that it is the guy just learning that makes 90 percent of the calls."

: Another problem, according to Danny Rennels of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, there is a shortage of officials.

: "The thought was that some of the older guys would stay in to give time to break in younger guys," Rennels said. "But that hasn't been the case."


My comments:
I cannot believe three man crews are just catching on in states like Oklahoma.Especially with 5A and 6A schools. As athletic as the kids are today I think three man is a must! Here in West Virginia we have called three man for boys Varsity for at least five years, wouldn't do it any other way! A lot of girls games too. Long season, easier on the legs and much better court coverage. Any comments?